Vinesh Phogat slams decision to lift ban on WFI, calls it a handout to ‘goons and criminals’
Chandigarh: Olympian wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, has criticised the Centre’s decision to lift the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The ban was imposed following sexual harassment allegations against former WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had suspended the Sanjay Singh-led WFI days after its election due to its announcement of U15 and U20 nationals. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was directed to oversee the federation’s operations temporarily. However, the ministry lifted the suspension on Monday following an order by the Delhi High Court.
Phogat condemned the move, alleging that sports federations were being handed over to individuals with criminal backgrounds. "I want the media to raise this issue more strongly. This is completely wrong. In a country where sports are in such a terrible state, federations are being handed over to goons and criminals," she told IANS.
Phogat, along with fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, has been at the forefront of protests against the WFI, accusing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. She also criticised the current WFI president, Sanjay Singh, for his association with Brij Bhushan.
Phogat asserted that their fight against WFI’s leadership would continue. "These people openly declare their dominance in front of the entire nation. But we will not back down from this fight. Our struggle has always been for truth and honesty, and we will continue on this path," she said.
Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya defended the decision, stating that the ministry had lifted the ban as per the High Court’s order. "This allows our wrestlers to participate in the Asian and World Championships while ensuring justice for their future," he said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
